Terry Gross

Film Director and screenwriter Oliver Stone. His movies include, "Platoon," "Born on the Fourth of July," "Wall Street," and "Talk Radio." He also wrote the screenplay for "Scarface" and others. He talks about his experience as a soldier in the Vietnam war and depicting the war on screen. (REBROADCAST from 7/17/90)

Photojournalists Horst Faas and Tim Page They compiled and edited a book of pictures by photojournalists who lost their lives covering war in Indochina and Vietnam from the 50's to the mid 70's. The book "Requiem" was published in 1997 (Random House). It features 135 different photographers including Robert Capa, Larry Burrows, and Sean Flynn. Horst Faas was an Associated Press photographer in Vietnam and Tim Page worked in Laos and Vietnam for United Press International and "Paris-Match." They were both wounded in Vietnam. (REBROADCAST from 11/5/97)

Novelist Tim O'Brien. He was writing about Vietnam long before it became fashionable to do so. His Vietnam memoir, "If I die in a Combat Zone," was published in 1973. O'Brien's 1979 novel "Going After Cacciato" was praised for its depiction of the Vietnam War. It also was the surprise winner of the 1979 National Book Awards -- beating out books by John Irving and John Cheever.

Designer, sculptor, architect Maya Lin. She was a 21 year-old undergraduate student when her design was selected for the Vietnam War Memorial. Her works are known for their ability to elicit powerful emotions. Lin also designed the Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery, Alabama, and the "Women's Table" at Yale (which dealt with the history of female students at Yale, which was mostly all-male for 300 years.) Most recently Lin designed "The Wave Field" in memory of Francois-Xavier Bagnoud, pilot, aeronautical engineer and humanitarian.

Contributing editor for This American Life, and columnist for Salon.com, Sarah Vowell. She has a new collection of essays, “Take the Cannoli: Stories from the New World” (Simon & Schuster).

Film director Mary Harron. She’s directed the new film “American Psycho” based on the controversial novel by Bret Easton Ellis about a murderous and misogynistic young man on Wall Street. The film stars Christian Bale. Harron also co-wrote the screenplay. One reviewer writes, “the movie establishes its insidious balance of humor and aestheticized gore.” Harron previously directed the film “I Shot Andy Warhol.”

Contributing editor for Vanity Fair David Margolick. In his new book “Strange Fruit: Billie Holiday, Café Society, and an Early Cry for Civil Rights” (Running Press), Margolick traces the history and impact of the song “Strange Fruit,” a ballad about lynchings which became Billie Holiday’s signature song. It was written by a Jewish school teacher who was inspired to write the song after seeing a newspaper photograph of a lynching.

Actor Edward Norton. His first major role was in the 1996 film "Primal Fear" as a quiet, stuttering altar boy accused of a brutal murder. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal. Norton went on to roles in Woody Allen's "Everyone Says I Love You," "The People vs. Larry Flint" and "Fight Club." He was nominated for an Academy Award again for his role in "American History X." He directed and stars in the new film "Keeping the Faith."

Eric Idle was one of the six original members of Monty Python's Flying Circus. Idle wrote many of the songs from the show including "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life." He has a new CD, “Eric Idle Sings Monty Python, Live in concert.” (Big Monkey Records). Idle is going on tour for this album, beginning 4/29/00 in Pheonix, AZ and ending 6/28 at NYC’s Carnegie Hall. Idle has also written a number of books.